Australian Passport Photo Requirements 2026: Size, Rules, and Where to Get Yours
Australian passport photos follow strict DFAT rules — 35-40mm × 45-50mm print, 32-36mm face height, white or light grey background, no glasses. Full 2026 specifications.
Australian passport photos follow strict rules set by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and even small errors cause rejection. This guide covers every requirement, verified against the Australian Passport Office's official photo guidelines as of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What size does an Australian passport photo need to be?
Australian passport photos must be 35 to 40mm wide and 45 to 50mm high. Unlike many countries that specify a single fixed size, Australia gives a range. Within that frame, your face from chin to crown must measure 32 to 36mm. Your face should be centred and fill about 70-80% of the frame.
You need two identical colour prints. Do not trim your photos to size yourself. The Australian Passport Office explicitly says that if your photo exceeds the accepted measurements, you should get a fresh photo taken rather than cutting it down.
Q: What background is required for an Australian passport photo?
The background must be plain white or light grey. It must contrast with your face and contain no patterns, shadows, objects, or other people. Stand at least 60cm (2 feet) from the wall to avoid casting shadows on the background. White backgrounds are more commonly accepted, but light grey is specifically permitted by DFAT. If you are using a home setup, a plain white wall with even lighting is the safest choice.
Q: Are glasses allowed in Australian passport photos?
No. The Australian Passport Office states that you must not wear glasses in a passport photo unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons. Vision impairment alone is not an acceptable reason to wear glasses. If you must wear them for a medical condition (not simply because you need them to see), you need supporting medical documentation with your application. Even then, the frames must not obscure your eyes and there must be no reflection from the lenses. Sunglasses and tinted or transition lenses are never allowed under any circumstances. This is stricter than many other countries. India banned glasses for Passport Seva in September 2025. Australia had already moved to this position earlier, making it one of the strictest countries on the glasses rule.
Q: What expression should I have?
Neutral expression with your mouth closed, for anyone over 3 years old. No smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows. Your eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera. Children under 3 have slightly more tolerance for expression, but the face must still be clearly visible.
Q: What are the printing requirements?
This is where many people get tripped up. Australian passport photos must be printed on high-quality glossy photographic paper. Standard printer paper, inkjet printouts, or laser prints are not acceptable. The Australian Passport Office specifically states that photos must be produced using dye sublimation printing, which is the type used by professional photo studios, Australia Post photo booths, and Officeworks. If you are printing at home, you will need dedicated photo paper and a photo-quality printer. For most people, getting prints from Australia Post or Officeworks is easier and more reliable.
Q: Can I take my own Australian passport photo?
The Australian Passport Office recommends using a professional passport photo provider and specifically warns against using online passport photo services or mobile apps, citing identity fraud risks. Their official position is: "We do not recommend using an online passport photo service or a mobile app. These may put you in danger of identity fraud." However, the guidelines do not prohibit home-taken photos — they must simply meet all the technical requirements. If you take your own photo, ensure someone else takes it for you (selfies are not accepted), use even natural lighting, a plain white or light grey background, and make sure the print quality meets the glossy paper requirement.
Q: Where can I get Australian passport photos taken?
The most common options in Australia are:
Australia Post outlets — many branches offer passport photo services. Check your local branch for availability.
Officeworks — offers passport photo printing at most locations.
Professional photo studios — any photography studio can take passport photos if they know the DFAT specifications.
For digital photos used in online visa or citizenship applications, you can use tools like PhotoPass to ensure your photo meets the 35×45mm format with correct face positioning and background. DFAT's identity fraud concern is about services that store or misuse applicant photos. PhotoPass processes only your own uploaded photo, applies no identity data to any external database, and outputs a print-ready file that you take to Australia Post or Officeworks to physically print. You stay in control of your photo at every step. PhotoPass costs $2.99 and includes a 4×6 inch print template with multiple correctly sized copies.
Q: What about head coverings?
Head coverings are not allowed unless worn continuously for religious or medical reasons. If you wear a religious head covering (hijab, turban, yarmulke, or similar), it must be plain with no patterns, and your entire face must be visible from chin to forehead, including both edges of your face.
Q: What is the digital photo size for Australian online applications?
For online visa applications, citizenship applications, or digital passport services, DFAT does not specify a fixed pixel dimension. The requirement is a high-quality JPEG that meets the general photo guidelines. Some application portals may specify a minimum resolution (typically 600 pixels on the widest side). The defining specification is the physical print size of 35-40mm × 45-50mm — the digital file should be high enough resolution to produce a sharp print at that size. As a rough reference, 413×531 pixels at 300 DPI or 826×1062 pixels at 600 DPI would produce a 35×45mm print, but these are derived figures, not DFAT-mandated dimensions. Check the specific application portal for its exact upload requirements before submitting.
Quick Spec Summary
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Print size | 35-40mm wide × 45-50mm high |
| Face height (chin to crown) | 32-36mm |
| Digital size | High-quality JPEG, min ~600px wide (DFAT does not mandate exact pixels) |
| Background | Plain white or light grey |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed (age 3+) |
| Glasses | Not allowed (medical exception only) |
| Head coverings | Religious/medical only, face fully visible |
| Paper | High-quality glossy, dye sublimation preferred |
| Recency | Taken within last 6 months |
| Quantity | 2 identical prints |
| File format (digital) | JPEG |
If You Hold Both an Australian and Indian Passport
If you are an Indian-Australian dual citizen (or hold an OCI card alongside your Australian passport), be aware that Australian and Indian passport photos use completely different specifications:
| Requirement | Australian Passport | Indian Passport (Passport Seva) |
|---|---|---|
| Print size | 35-40mm × 45-50mm | 35×45mm |
| Digital size | ~826×1062 px at 600 DPI | 630×810 px (exact) |
| Background | White or light grey | White only |
| Glasses | Not allowed (medical exception) | Not allowed (since Sep 2025) |
| Face coverage | 70-80% | 80-85% |
| File size limit | Varies by portal | Under 250KB |
| Upload portal | Varies | mportal.passportindia.gov.in |
The print dimensions are similar (both use 35×45mm), but the digital specifications are completely different. A 630×810 pixel file prepared for Passport Seva will not meet Australian digital requirements, and an 826×1062 pixel Australian file will be rejected by Passport Seva. You need separate digital photos for each.
For Indian passport renewal from Australia, the process runs through VFS Global and requires two separate photo steps:
Step 1: Upload a 630×810 pixel digital photo to the GPSP 2.0 portal (mportal.passportindia.gov.in/mission) as part of your online application. This must be done before your VFS appointment. The portal will not accept your application without it.
Step 2: Bring two 35×45mm printed photos to your VFS Global appointment. One gets pasted on the application form, the second is submitted as backup.
Both steps are mandatory. The digital and print specs are the same dimensions (35×45mm / 630×810 pixels) but the portal enforces exact pixel validation — a generic high-resolution photo will not work. See our 630×810 pixel photo guide for the exact Indian specs, and our Indian Passport Photo Requirements 2026 guide for the full Indian specification.
If you hold an OCI card, those photos use yet another format — 51×51mm square with a cream background. See our OCI card photo requirements guide.
Q: What are the most common reasons Australian passport photos get rejected?
The most frequent rejection reasons are: wrong background colour (patterns or off-white shades), wearing glasses (even prescription), photos that are too small or improperly cropped, photos printed on regular paper instead of glossy photo paper, selfies or photos not taken face-on, photos more than 6 months old, and digital retouching or filters that alter your appearance. The Australian Passport Office uses biometric facial recognition to match your face against your passport photo at border crossings. Any alteration to your photo — even minor edits like skin smoothing or shadow removal — can interfere with this matching and may cause problems at immigration.
Last updated: May 2026. Specifications verified against the Australian Passport Office (passports.gov.au), DFAT General Photo Guidelines, and the Department of Home Affairs. For Indian passport or OCI requirements in Australia, see our dedicated guides linked above.